bookshelf

MEET CATBOY!

Name: MEET CATBOY!
Author: R.J. Cregg
ISBN: 978-1-4814-8897-6

From the PJ Masks series

adapted by R.J. Cregg ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 20, 2016

For PJ Masks fans only.

bookshelf

The primary character of the popular preschool program gets the spotlight.

Connor is “a kid just like you,” but by night he becomes Catboy, “a hero who defends fun for everyone!” His best pals, Greg and Amaya, moonlight as Gekko and Owlette. This supertrio fights villains such as Romeo, Night Ninja, and Luna Girl. All the characters appear to be light-skinned except for Night Ninja, who is dark blue. This board book introduces little readers to the characters and describes Catboy’s superabilities (speed, agility, and hearing) but ends sans plot after setting the stage. It works well enough as a supplement to the TV show PJ Masks, but readers not already invested in the franchise won’t be very interested. The text is plodding, expository fluff, and the illustrations are poorly composed renderings of the Disney show’s animation. This short board book is nothing more than an expansion of a brand—and a poor one at that.

For PJ Masks fans only. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Dec. 20, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-4814-8897-6

Page Count: 14

Publisher: Simon Spotlight

Review Posted Online: Nov. 1, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

bookshelf

ROSA LOVES CARS

From the All About Rosa series

by Jessica Spanyol ; illustrated by Jessica Spanyol ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2018

An effervescent celebration of play in the early years.

bookshelf

As with Spanyol’s stellar Clive books, Rosa’s favorite activities buck gender stereotypes.

The toddler races toy cars, jumps monster trucks, and builds a car out of a cardboard box with her buddies in what looks like a day care or preschool setting. Spanyol’s childlike lines, soft palette, and chunky figures are as cheerful as ever. The text is mostly straightforward, simple narration peppered with exclamations from Rosa and her chums: “Rosa and Marcel play in the sandpit. ‘Dig-a-dig, dig-a-dig, scoop!’ sings Rosa.” Rosa has brown skin and black, curly hair, and she wears bright yellow eyeglasses. Her friends include Samira, who uses a wheelchair and is likely of South Asian descent; Mustafa, who appears black; Biba, who has light-brown skin and straight, black hair; and Sarah and Marcel, who both present white. Three other equally charming titles accompany this offering. In Rosa and Her Dinosaurs, the heroine dons a purple dress and plays with a collection of toy dinosaurs. Rosa and her buds (all wearing helmets) roll through the pages of Rosa Rides Her Scooter. And in Rosa Plays Ball, Rosa pushes a cart with various kinds of balls to toss about with her friends outside.

An effervescent celebration of play in the early years. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-78628-125-8

Page Count: 14

Publisher: Child's Play

Review Posted Online: Dec. 4, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
ROSA'S BIG SUNFLOWER EXPERIMENT
by Jessica Spanyol ; illustrated by Jessica Spanyol

- BOOK REVIEW
CLIVE IS A NURSE
by Jessica Spanyol ; illustrated by Jessica Spanyol

- BOOK REVIEW
CLIVE AND HIS BABIES
by Jessica Spanyol ; illustrated by Jessica Spanyol

bookshelf

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

by Sandra Magsamen ; illustrated by Sandra Magsamen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 26, 2018

A fun but inessential novelty, as much toy as book.

bookshelf

A familiar song repackaged as a board book doubles as a finger puppet.

Many a caregiver has sung this refrain to a newborn or toddler, ignoring the decidedly sad lyrics of the original. Magsamen lays claim and sweetens it up. She uses only the chorus and changes the last line to “I’ll give you lots of hugs… / and kisses every day” instead of the expected “Please don’t take my sunshine away.” Her cheery artwork, reminiscent of applique, recalls the song’s country-music roots and is anything but sad. The pages are decorated with hearts and cuddly-looking caregiver-child animal pairs—foxes, skunks with sunny yellow umbrellas, bunnies, raccoons, and squirrels. The thick, heart-shaped pages include a circular die-cut hole through which readers might poke the smiling felt sun puppet attached to the back cover. A finger inserted from the back makes the sun wiggle and will capture even the youngest baby’s attention. The puppet feature does not obstruct the initial page turns, but when a toddler says, “Do it again” (as they doubtless will), quickly re-positioning the finger puppet is somewhat challenging.

A fun but inessential novelty, as much toy as book. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)